When it comes to crafting public policy, San Francisco has two worthy traditions. The first is boldness — think same-sex marriage. The second is openness — the Sunshine Ordinance, for instance, requires government to reach “decisions in full view of the public.”

San Francisco works best when the two traditions complement each other: pitch a big idea and then let’s debate. The best policy comes when all sides have a voice in decisions that impact them directly.

Unfortunately, the Board of Supervisors jumped at the chance of being bold at the expense of being open.